RED Shirts, who knew....I didn't

This was passed on to me by a friend (I welled up, I guess I am emotional today so I thought everyone needed to shed a tear today, so go ahead let the flood gates open you can thank me later.)

If the Red shirt thing is new to you, read below...

Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine
sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together.

After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who'd been
invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he was
heading home .

No, he responded.

Heading out I asked?

No. I'm escorting a soldier home.

Going to pick him up?

No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq , I'm taking him
home to his family.

The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to
the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn't know
the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier's
family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days.

I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, Thank you. Thank you
for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do.

Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made
the following announcement over the intercom.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor
of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us on this
flight He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that
you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow
Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We will then
turn off the seat belt sign."

Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant
saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his act ion made me
realize that I am proud to be an American.

So here's a public Thank You to our military Men and Women for what
you do so we can live the way we do.

Red Fridays.

Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday .
The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the "silent
majority." We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God,
country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized,
boisterous or overbearing.

Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to
recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our idea of
showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect
starts this Friday -- and continues each and every Friday until the troops
all come home, sending a deafening message that ... every red-blooded
American who supports our men and women afar, will wear something red.

By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every
Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers.
If every one of us who loves this country will share this with
acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before
the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once "silent"
majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets
on.

The first thing a soldier says when asked "What can we do to make
things better for you?" is. "We need your support and your prayers." Let's
get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example, and wear
something red every Friday.